20 Nov 2014 - NPWJ News Digest on on LGBTI rights

Articles

Tahiland hosts HIV blood test party
By Starobserver, 20 Nov 2014

Organised by Bangkok-based HIV and AIDS organisation TestBKK, the Fresh Up party in September launched a campaign to reach out to the MSM community and encourage them to get tested for HIV every three to six months. Hundreds of partygoers were joined by health professionals and male models, and the party also  featured live performances, information sessions, and blood tests. Black and white macarons emblazoned with “Suck F*#k Test Repeat” reiterated the campaign’s message. “It’s a little late, but it’s better than never,” researcher and Thai Red Cross advisor Frits van Griensven told Reuters of these new efforts. A 2013 report revealed that the prevalence of HIV among MSM over the past decade constitute an epidemic for Thailand, a country that has battled a high incidence of HIV and AIDS since the early 1990s.

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Lord Cashman thanks ‘thousands’ for enduring ‘inhumane treatment’ in maiden Lords speech
By Pink News, 20 Nov 2014

Newly ennobled Labour peer Lord Cashman has made his maiden speech in the House of Lords, paid tribute to his late partner and noted the sacrifice of many to improve the situation for people living today. Lord Cashman, formerly an actor in Eastenders, and Labour’s newly appointed global LGBT rights envoy, noted that “thousands of generations” had endured “inhumane and degrading treatment”, leading to the situation allowing him to take his place in the Lords. The new Labour peer spoke on the Modern Slavery Bill.
He also made a heartfelt tribute to his late partner of 31 years Paul Cottingham, who died after a battle with cancer three days before he was sworn in to the House of Lords.

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Amnesty: 'Gambia must stop wave of homophobic arrests and torture'
By Gay Star News, 19 Nov 2014

Amnesty International has demanded Gambia stop its crackdown on homosexuality amid reports that the west African country has arrested and tortured eight LGBTI people since 7 November. They were told they were under investigation for 'homosexuality' but have not been formally charged, despite constitutional guarantees that require people to be charged within 72 hours of arrest. ‘These arrests took place amid an intensifying climate of fear for those perceived to have a different sexual orientation or gender identity,’ said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for west and central Africa. ‘This unacceptable crackdown reveals the scale of state-sponsored homophobia in Gambia. Intimidation, harassment, and any arrest based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity is in clear violation of international and regional human rights law. The Gambian authorities must immediately stop this homophobic assault.’
 

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A Movement That Matters: Trans Rights in Lesotho
By The Huffington Post, 18 Nov 2014

"There's a lot of stigma in the general population," says Tampose Mothopeng, a human rights defender from Lesotho, who's been described by NPR as "young, idealistic, and transsexual." He recently shared with me some of the issues the transgender community is tackling in his home country: violence and bullying in schools, a lack of access to health services, and high rates of unemployment. Many trans people, or people identifying differently from societal expectations, are not employed or not hired because of their gender identity or expressions. They are dropped from their schools because of school-based or familial violence. Without education or employment, many are forced into sex work just to get by, he says. But despite these and other challenges, what emerges from our conversation is a sense of a vibrant trans movement working at both the grassroots and national levels. Mr. Mothopeng, who's Director of the Matrix Support Group, describes his organization's different approaches to raising awareness and combating discrimination.

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Botswana: High Court Upholds Basic Freedoms
By Human Rights Watch, 14 Nov 2014

(Nairobi) – The Botswana High Court, in a groundbreaking decision, ruled on November 14, 2014, that members of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights group could formally register their organization, Human Rights Watch said today. 
The decision was issued in response to a petition filed by Lesbian, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) to register under the Botswana Societies Act. The Botswana registrar of societies rejected the group’s request to register in March 2012. Registration is required to carry out the group’s organizational functions and for equal participation in the development of national programs. “The court’s ruling is a significant victory for the LGBT community, not only in Botswana but elsewhere in Africa where LGBT groups have faced similar obstacles to registration,” said Monica Tabengwa, LGBT researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Botswana High Court decision is a milestone in the fight for LGBT people’s right to equality under the law.” 

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